Liquid vs. NRG at ECS Predictions

Conclusion

So obviously no S1mple for Liquid here, instead it will be Adren playing here. We will see the Adren + Koosta combo too which should be interesting. S1mple is obviously a very big miss for Liquid, he can win games single handedly at times, however this does not completely destroy Liquid by any means. They are still the core lineup, and Koosta can fill the AWP role really well, and Adren showed us at the major he has some fragging in him, so if he brings it here all should be alright. NRG have not been putting a lot of work it seems, two of their players have just 40 hours, and while two others have like 80, still strange the difference between them. Liquid is mixed too, however they have been attending LAN’s so that explains it I reckon. NRG have actually been impressive, I did not give them a shot when they first announced their roster, however they proved me wrong and have been grinding hard, and play a very enjoyable style of CS too I feel. This is a game I feel Liquid should be favored in, even without S1mple. NRG has potential to go missing in games due to Silent, Just9n and Ptr not being the most consistent and reliable of fraggers, and I mean you can’t 100% of the time expect Gob to bail you out of situations, however he has been improving frag wise ever since coming to NA so that is that. 65-35 Liquid

Of course Liquid here without s1mple will have an impact on how they play, but it actually might help them. They of course will let koosta use the AWP completely, which should enable him to shine, and with adreN being a calming influence, helping Hiko to call, this should be interesting. NRG are a better side than I would have expected, and I am curious to see how far they can go with this 5. I did not expect much, but gob b has proven what an amazing IGL he is. This game SHOULD be going the way of Liquid, but I can see NRG making it close, and even taking a map. If Liquid are off their game the potential for an upset is there, but Liquid will be trying hard here, and their map pool should be deeper, and they SHOULD be able to close this game out.